On the one hand, I'm not developing these apps, I'm using them, so therefore I don't care what the developers want, I want to know what other people's experiences are with them, known problems, known successes, etc.. and I'll be the one to filter out what's user error and what's not.
But on the other hand, I do really like the current model of a real-deal review and then opening it up to posts so people can still express their views on it.
But on the FIRST hand, maybe at some point I'd like to do a more "professional-style" review and need a good place to post it, and would rather not post it in the same place as another review already done on it.
Hmm...
Here's the end result for me: I could go either way. Such a firm answer, I know...
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"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
When I first read the title, I was thinking of a search engine that was made specifically for searching out reviews.
Imagine a database of products from different developers or manufacturers. Imagine clicking on an item and receiving options to read many different professional reviews on the item.
That's what I'd want.
I know that PocketPCThoughts receives a lot of mature readers, so I'm sure the "IT SUCKS" comments will be at a minimum, but I vote to disagree with the idea of a user-review database.
I think I agree with Chris. While I like reading the opinion of individuals who have used the product at hand, I appreciate more the well thought out and extensive reviews that this site currently offers. If I want to see what folks think of the review, I read the discussion that follows. Too many times at CNET , for example, I have to wade through all sorts of inane comments just to get to some meat. I prefer when CNET has a review, and THEN I have the choice to read user opinions.
But hey, whatever works for the site admins. We're an intelligent enough group that I would expect most of the comments by folks to be fairly useful.
User reviews tend to be hot and cold, black and white; and don't, in my humble opinion, offer much value.
I agree with this in part, there will always be a place for more professional reviews and reviewers. However, when a larger group of users give their opinions, I value the combined result far more than any one person, professional or otherwise
User reviews tend to be hot and cold, black and white; and don't, in my humble opinion, offer much value.
I agree with this in part, there will always be a place for more professional reviews and reviewers. However, when a larger group of users give their opinions, I value the combined result far more than any one person, professional or otherwise
I also agree with this in part. However, like someone else mentioned 2-3 posts above the one I'm quoting, you usually have to wade through a whole bunch of irrelevant commentary/ rants (read: noise) before you get to the meat that you're looking for.
I agree that if 50-100 users say something doesn't work then I'm going to back away from the app, however, I really have to wonder how many of those users installed the app correctly. I have to wonder how many of them read the installation instructions. CNet was one of the Members of the Press at last year's SIC in St. Louis.
As I recall, my good friend Max Green talked this up a lot because CNet was one of the pioneers of User Based Reviews. However, as a technically savvy CNet visitor, I really question the decision to tone down the indepth analysis that CNet is famous for (only in some cases, guys...not every time...) in favor of user based commentary.
In my opinion, you can't tone down professional reviews and offer users the chance to comment. You can't serve two masters: either go all the way to the wall with your professional reviews and then let users blog their comments; or let users blog their comments and have the professional reviewers moderate the blog.
HOWEVER..!! That's not a suggestion, and should not be taken as one for this site, (or any that I'm affiliated with... I won't moderate user based review blogs...I'm spread too thin as it is! :mrgreen: )
My point is that a site should do one or the other and not both. You either end up with skimpy professional reviews and a lot of people flaming the reviewer, or skimpy professional reviews and a lot of people flaming the reviewer...wait. Didn't I just say that?? 8O
Kind Regards,
Christopher Spera
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Kind Regards,
Christopher Spera
Gear Diary Review Team
As Jason stated right off the top, there is no reason you can't do both.
The review team is an excellent concept. The members are for the most part everyday users that readers can relate to. They have been chosen for their ability to put together professional looking reviews that hit on everyday issues with the products they are reviewing. I think there are two very important reasons that this concept is working. First, there is a bond developing between the members of the team and the rest of the members here. The bond is building because there is a large amount of familiarity, and confidence in these people. They are outside the marketing "mill." Secondly, when a review is posted it is commented on in the forums. This means that not only do you get the reviewers views but you hear many other peoples views as well. This makes it much easier to make an informed buying decision that you can be confident of.
Having said all that doing something like the Aximsite is doing as well adds more voices, and opinions into the pot. It sure can't hurt.
I have to agree with Paragon and say that ideally we would be able to read both the more professional reviews and also user ones. These would need to be set up in different areas of the site so that we can see clearly what type of review we are dealing with.
I certainly enjoy the very high quality of the reviews on PPCT, it would also be nice to be able to read views from a different perspective. (As of course does happen somewhat with the disscusions that take place in the forums after the reviews).
Other sites make very good use of user reviews, I'm thinking Mountain Bike Review, Amazon and others. I'm always interested to see what people think after actually forking out their money on a product. Like Chris pointed out, you do have to look through some junk to get to the real issues and yes the word "suck" does seem to be used a bit too much. Actually, my wife is in the process of trying to get a credit she is owed by US Cellular and I would for sure use the S word if reviewing their customer service.
To get back on topic, I think it would work really well, if user reviews could be posted right after the "pro review". Be good feedback for the developers as well to see if other users agree with the pro reviewers.
(just realized what a long sucky post this one is - sorry :drinking: )
But for a review system to really be useful, there probably needs to be some type of reputation system in place.
That's a great idea, in my mind... that way I could look at the user reviews, and perhaps sort by "reputation" or something to help filter out the junk? Or maybe only look at user reviews submitted by people with a certain level of rep.
__________________
"And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger."-C.S. Lewis
But for a review system to really be useful, there probably needs to be some type of reputation system in place.
That's a great idea, in my mind... that way I could look at the user reviews, and perhaps sort by "reputation" or something to help filter out the junk? Or maybe only look at user reviews submitted by people with a certain level of rep.
epinions.com has done a lot of original work in this. Unfortunately, most sites, like Amazon and C|Net, don't have any such support, and as a result you have to take their user reviews with a large grain of salt. Witness Handango reviews, for one.
Such a firm answer, I know...
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